Bellwether 21 | Summer 1987

-------

Newsmagazine of the School of Veterinary Medicine

ellwethe,--.

University of Pennsylvania

Summer 1987

Dean Robert R.

r. Robert R. Marshak became the ninth dean of the School of Veterinary Medi­ cine in September 1973, succeeding Dr. Mark W. AUam. Immediately after graduation from the New York State College of Veteri­ nary \iedicine at Cornell University in 1945, Dr. Marshak began what was to become a large dail) cat­ tle practice in Springfield, Vermont. One of his clients wru; Dr. Alan M. Butler. who was professor of pediat­ .-lc� at l:rarvard Medical School and a renowned clini­ cal invest1gator of that era. Dr. Butler encouraged Dr. Mar:hak to en age in clinical investigation at the Massachusetts General Hospual Boston \\lith this arrangement Dr. Marshak conducted studies on metabolic diseases in cattle, making frequent trips to Bo�ton., often at night, with samples for laboratory analysis. At the same time he engaged in an intensive self-learning program in biochemistry. Dr. Marshak deveJoped friendships with leading authorities in tbe field of metabolic diseases . and in 1956 he was organ­ Izing chairman for a prestigious conference on Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Man and Auimals with Spedal Reference to Pregnancy and Lortarion at the �ew York Academy of Sciences.

These acttvilies heightened a basic desire on the part of Dr. Marshak to pursue scholarly interests·. At one lime he considered moving to Boston so that he would be near Harvard University. At the time when he was engaged in these thoughts. Penn ·s Veterinary School was searching for someone to replace Dr. John D. Beck, professor of medicine, who was leaving after many years in residence at the School.

Dean Marl W Allam had interviewed many candi­ dates for the position but was unable to find the right individual. Through a series of circumstances, Dean Allam learned about this rather remarkable veterinar­ ian from Vermont. At this time Dr. Alan Butler entered the picture and strongly recommended Or. Marshak, who was invited to come to Penn for an interview. After the initial interview Dean Allam knew that the search for a professor of medicine had ended, and in 1956 Dr. Marshak was appointed to this position.

Penn's Veterinary School now had a professor with some extraordinary concepts about how cLinical veterinary medicine should develop. Dr. Marshak was keenl} concerned about the great disparity berween the programs for clinical sciences in medical schools and those in veterinary schools, and he lost no time in attacking this situation in a variety of ways. Funda­ mental to Dr. Marshak's concepts is the premise that students should be taught basic principles of medicme continued on page 2

Dean Robert R. Marshak continued from page 1 versus the "cookbook" style of learning. For this rea­ son he urged that the basic science departments be strengthened and tbts was done. leading to a much closer relauonship between clinical an d basic sciences. "'ext. he recruited individuals for the clinical sctence area who had established scienttfic reputations, or young people with a sincere desire to pursue graduate studies. Many of th� became leaders in various clini­ cal specialties. Dr. Marshak also engaged in a major revamping of work schedules for clinicians in the hos­ pitals so that they would have time available for research, a situation which never before eXJsted in the Veterinary School. This required major additions to the clinical staff and this took place.

All of these, and other changes, evemually forged a clinical department that is one of the best in the world. The pay-off from Dr. Marshak's foreslgbt, determination. and hard work was a remarkable upgrading in clinical teaching. research. and l.-ervice in the Veterinary School. Funher. the renaissance of clini­ cal science at Penn bad M impact on the entire veteri­ nary profession. Under Dr. Mar.;bak's guidance clinl­ cal specialties. now a maJor part of veterinary medictne, were developed at Penn, and he is rightfully recognized ru. the "Father of Veterinary Clinical Spe­ cialties ... Also. under Dr. Mnrsbnk the Veterinary chool developed an mternational reputation as the leader in comparative medical research. Lastly. he was a pnme mover in the creauon of the core.elective cur­ riculum. a re\'oluuonary move m veterinary medical education_ The development of the specialties required the postgraduate training of numerou� young men and women. and Dr. Marshak provided the opportunities for those individuals to engage in Lhis experience.

Today, many of those who undcrwem this training are leaders in their particular field.

Many other major changes and improvements occurred during Dr. Marshak's deanship. Some of these are: a major addition to the Large Arumal Hos-

pitaJ at ew Bolton Center. an d the creation of VHUP on the Philadelphia campus: compleuon of the C Mahlon Kline Center for Onhopedics and Rehabil­ itation: creation of new. innovative programs such as a Program of Aquatic Animal Medicine (AQUAVEn. and the Center for Interactions of Animals and Society; and major renovations m the old quadrangle building to provide much needed research space. During the }ears 1976 to 1982, Dr. Marshak directed fund-raising effom which realized 27.5 million dollars frorn the pri' ate !>ector, and from 1974 until prer.ent the appropriation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania increased from $1.7 miLUon to over $10.7 million. Since 1983. Dr. Marshak has directed a major fund-raising effort known as the Second Century Fund. To date, over 30 million dollars nas been nuscd in tbis effort.

Dr. Marshak is a charter diplomate of tbe Ameri­ can CoUege of Veterinat) Internal Medicine and served as president of this group from 1975-1976. He bas served on the editorial board of several journals, including the American Journal of Veterinary Research. the Joumal of the American Veterinary Radiology Society, and the Cornell Veterinarian.

From 1964 until 1967, Dr. Marshak Wa!t chairman, Committee on Po:,tdoctoral Education of the Ameri­ can Association of Vcterinarv Clmic1ans. and from 1975 until 1978 he was a member of the Committee on Veterinary Medical Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences. During the period 1976 to 1981, he was a member of the Council on Research of the American Veterinary Medical AS!>ociation. Dr. Marshak served on the Advisory Council of the New York State Col­ lege of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University from 1977 until 1980. He currentl.y serves on the Board of Directors of the Bide-a-wee Home Association and the Pennsylvania Livestock Association, and is a member of the Advisory Council of the James A. Baker ln·titutt for Ammal Health. Cornell University and of the Secretary's Animal Health AdviSory Board of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Dr. \lfarshak is a member or the American Associa­ tion for the Advancement of cience. the American Association for Cancer Re�earch. the Amencan Vet­ erinary Medical A!.soci:uion. the Pennsylvarua Veteri­ nary Meclical A'!>�ociution. the American A:.sociation of Veterinary Clinician.:,, the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases. and the CoUege of Physt­ etans of Philadelphia (fellow). He is ali>o a member of The \lew York Farmers. the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. and the Westminster Kennel Club.

Dr. Marshak bas published over seventy scientific papers, many of them on the 11ubject of bovine leukemia, but also on metaboUc diseases and lepto­ spirosis. He has published four major review articles.

Dr. Marshak's contributions lo the profession were recognized in 1968 when the University of Bern awarded him an honorary degree of Dr.med.\et.

Despite the multifanous activities involved in administering the Deans Office, Dr. Marshak bas kept uppermost the fundamental matters that nourish the Veterinary School; high academic standards. research. i teaching. patient care. and commumt) serv ce. His resolute character and his 1est have inspired the School. In $pltc: of the great amount of time which he ts required to :.pend in political and fund-raising acti"­ tties, Dr. \ianhaJ.. h� become a major spokesman for the profession. He has been superbly articulate. He has embraced an extraordtnanly broad constituency, mcluding the legtl>lature, the alumru. the Pennsylvania Vetermary Medical Association, agnculturaJ groups. humane societtes. the dog and cat world, LOO and wildlife group!!, and aquatic medicine.

As Dr. Marshak retire� from the Deanship on July I. 19tH. he leaves a legacy that not only encompasses his momentous professional and academic con tions. but brilliantly reflects his role as a compassion­ ate and understanding human being. He cared!

Vincent B. Murphy, Jr., Honored

Equestrian Team, as the owner of top competition jumpers. as the father of daugbten. wbo are world­ class competitors, as an Overseer and Chairman of the Veterinaf)o School's Second Century Fund Campaign, an d as one of the School's most generous benefactors.

A close friend and advisor to two deans. be bas helped the School to chan a successful cou�e through hazardous financial shoals. Though a loyal Yale m� his strong ties to the Red and the Blue ha,�e ne,er been in doubt.

Tn applauding Vincent Murphy's magnificent record of service to the School of Veterinary Medicine. his fellow Overseers join the Dean and the Faculty in inviting him to accept the Centennial Medal, the School's highest tribute.

New Laboratory

During the May Board of Overseers meeting. Dean Marshak presented the Schoot>s Centennial Medal to Vincent B. Murphy, Jr member of the School's Board of Overseers an d chamnan of the Veterinary School's Second Century Fund Campaign. Following IS the laudation:

J,.ri\:IU­

-John 1:;. l!urtm, V.M.D.

The laboratory in the Section of Medical Genetics was renovated to accommodate a ne\\ laboratory· in medical genetics. The funds for the renovation were provtded by the Mrs. Cheever Poner Foundation.

Trustees of the Foundation visited the new laboratory in June. During the visit Dr. John Wolfe. who will be directing the laboratory, discussed his work.

.•

Linked to Pennsylvania by a shared devotion to animal welfare. Vincent 8. \lfurphy, Jr.. bas worked selflessly to make the School of Veterinary Medicine a stronger, better. more re ponsive institution. A highly successful investment banker with extensive overseas respon ibilities, he manages miraculously to find ample time for his lar�e family as well as for a host of philanthropic interests. Central among these interests, born out of an enduring love for horses and for horse­ manship, is the equine athlete. This is expressed in countless ways-as President of the United States 2

Bellwether

Len to ri'ht. \1r. Oifford tarkins; Or. Wolfe; Mr. Edgar Scott. Jr., chairman or aht buard of rrmtres, Mrs. Cheever Porter Foundlltion: and Or. Patterson.

i

Left to r ght, Dr. Wolfe dlscu!>sing his work with Mr. Alton E. Peters and Mr. Clirrord E. StJitkins of the Mrs. Cheever

Porter Foundation.

Embryo Tr ansfer in Horses One of the donor mares io com�tion.

•-...- or a number of years, the dairy industry has used embryo tnnsfer in order to increase the number of calves from Z�elect producers. Now this technology is being applied to produce more high quality performance horses. At the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine as well as at other institutions, researche� are helping ho�e breeders to increase the number of offspring from superior mares.

Dr. Patricaa L. Sen1ch, a lecturer in reproduction at Penn. � affiliated with the Georgia and Philip Hofmann Center for Reproducuon at the Vet School's '=e\\ Bolton Center campus. "We are into our fourth year of performing embryo transfer in the horse, .. she said. ''Currently, more breed associations are accept­ ing embryo transfer foals into their registries. It is permitted by the registries for Arabians, Quarter Horses, American Saddlebreds. Trakehners. and other European warmblood horses. Each registry has spe­ cific criteria which must be met for acceptance.

Embryo transfer is not permiued by the Thoroughbred and Standardbred registries."

The horses Dr. Sertich works with are performance horses. predominantly show jumpers and dressage horses. Many are actively in training and competing on the show circuit, even while participating in the transfer program.

"We like to group the mares for breeding to increase the efficiency of the program. Usually, we breed more than one mare to the stallion." Dr. Sertich said. "The procedurl" ,., e-rv Ia or intens1 ·e and requires a lot of aUtr ion to del...I Embryo rrarufer alo l \\ a mare to produce more than one foal in a year. usually, Ule J 1-mootb gestation period ohhe horse allows for pro­ duction of only one foal per year, and serving as a broodmare interferes with the mare's training and per­ formance schedule.

•

Top: Dr. Patricia

Dr. Sertich explained thnt the donor mare (mare which is bred) and the recipient mare (mare which carries the foal) must be synchronized so that they are at the same stage in their heat cycles. "When the horses arrive at tbe Hofmann Center, they are given hormones to prevent them from coming into heat.

These hormones are discontinued after ten days and the mare come into heat six days later. Each mare is teased daily to determine her recepti\'ity toward the stali l on, and her reproductive tract is palpated to detect ovulation. Follicle development is also moni­ tored by ultrasound so the precise time of ovulation can be determined.'' Mares are bred just prior to ovulation.

Breeding is accomplished by artificial insemination.

"It is physically safer for the horses and lowers the likelihood of spreading infection," she said. "Also, more than one mare can be bred from one semen col­ lee;•on ., Frequently, the stallion i actively competing at �10 ., H� 1s blOught .n to breedmg at the: proper Lime and then returned to competition.

Seven days after ovulation. the donor mare's uterus i s nushed. A special embryo medium is infused and then collected. After flushing, the embryo, no larger than a pin head, is located and transferred transcervi­ caJiy into the recipient mare. The Hofmann Center is one of the few places where nonsurgical equine embryo transfer is successfully being performed.

Throughout the procedure both the donor and the recipient mares are awake and comfortable. "(nsening the embryo into the recipient's uterus must be done carefully so the recipient cervix and uterus won't 'recognize' that something is happening," said Dr. Sentch ...We use an insemination pipette, thread it into the cervix.. gently negotiate the cervix, and insert the embryo into the uterus."

Dr. Sertich explained that the timing of a flush is critical. "If you flush as early as five days after ovula­ tion, the embryo is still in the oviduct . whereas if you wait until after the ninth day, the embryo is so big that it can be easily damaged ... After transfer, the equine embryo travels all around the uterus, touching the entire endometnum during the first 16 days of pregnancy.

The condition of the recipient mare is important.

--we prefer to use young mares that have not foaled and that have a healthy reproductive tract. Using reproductively sound maiden mares, we were able to achieve a 70 percent transfer success rate. lf poor

quality recipients are used in an embryo transfer pro­ gram. the success rate can be expected to be much lower."

New Bolton Center does not provide the recipient mares. That is the responsibility of lhe donor mare's owner, who also must satisfy the requirements of the breed registry. lf one elects to have the procedure per­ formed. one must plan on the mares staying at least 28 days at tne Hofmann Center. It is not an inexpen­ sive proc�dure as it is very time consuming. "The mares are checked and palpated daily. lt is very labor intensive. But the breeder may get more than one foal, and the donor mare is still available for competition...

After being flushed, the donor mare may simply return to competition or training. However, she can be brought to cycle again and rebred for a funher flush.

Of course, another recipient mare must be synchron­ ized. In this way it is possible for one mare to produce two or even three foals during a single breeding Z�eason Although an embryo can remain viable for hours at room temperature, recovered embryos are usually transferred as soon as possible. Dr Scnich has cooled embryos to 4°C for 24 hours before implanting them, achieving a 25 percent success rate. If this cooling technique can be perfected, embryos could be trans­ ferred throughout the nation or even the world.

"Embryo transfer provides us with an intensive breeding situation in a very controlled environment," said Dr. Sertich. "We are able to coUect a great deal of data, and these studies provide an invaluable teaching and learning situation. We are performing research in a clinical setting. Thus, both students and horse breeders benefit" Dr. Senich graduated from the School m 1983; her primary research interest is in equine reproduction.

erticb enmining a mAre by ultrasound

for detection or ovulation.

Bottom: A successf ul transfer.

Seven-dJ&y equine embryo.

3

Mathematical Models for Parasite Control arasitic disease of livestock is costly to the agnculture industry.

It is estimated that losses resulling from nematode infections of beef and dairv cattle in the United States alone will reaCh the S600 million mark by the end of the decade. Farmers try to prevent losses by adminil>tering anthelmintic drugs, which ure expensive, and through pasture rotation. which is labor intensive. An added problem is that some para­ 'ite populations are resistant to a number of com­ monly used anthelmintics.

Researchers, in the field and in the laboratory, have been studying means of controlling paTasite infections for many years. Now, with the advent of powerful computers. these studies have taken on an added d1meosion. Computers can be used to develop mathematical models which can examine different means of parasite control. "'We can use mathematical models of parasite population biology to see how the diSease status of the infected livestock alters in time and �pace,.. explained Dr. Gary Smath, assistant pro­ fessor of population biology and epidemiology at the Umversity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Med­ icine. ''Such models also allow us to examine different strategi� for parasite control before they are tested in the field."

Or. Stn.ilh pointed out that the modeling technique is the same whether the researcher is dealing wuh macroparasites (roundworms. tapeworms, Dukes) or microparasites (viruses, bacteria, protozoa). "In the case of parasitic disease caused by worms, we con­ ::.trutt an <.-quation for each stage in the life cycle and simulate the course of mfecuon dunng a gnwng sea­ son lor specific climatic conditions. We know the time needed for the development of infectious larvae, how long they can survive in the pasture, and bow long il takes the worm to reach adulthood once ingested. To study the effect of an anthelmintic drug, we can alter the equations to reflect the drug's action on specific stages of the parasite and then determine the likely reduction in worm burden."

One such study examined different protocols to combat Ostertagw ostenagia (stomach worm) anfec­ tion m grazing calves and yearlings in Europe and

Wonn Burden

temperate regio� in North America. Normally, the infectiOn peaks in August and September and declines oo its own, without drug intervention. "Traditionally farmers used to wrut until the cattle showed sagns of disease before treating them with anthelmintic drugs." said Dr. Smith "Such a regimen works but requi� repeated administrataon of the drug." The computer model simulated six protocols: a) no anthelmintic therapy; b) therapeutic administration of anthelmintic A at the time of peak infection; c) prophylactiC admin­ tStration of A at three, six. and nine weeks after turn­ out to pasture: d) movement of calves to a second pas­ ture immediately following a prophylactic dose of anthelmintic A: e) prophylactic administration of anthelmintic B three and eight weeks after turnout to pasture; and f) prophylactic admmistrarion of anthel­ mintLc C via an mtraruminal time release dev1ce (bolus), which releases effective quantities of the anthelmintic for 80 to 100 days.

The model generated information demonstrating the impact of the various protocols on the worm burden in the cattle. All the prophylactic prmocals (c to f) significantly reduced the worm burden at mid­ summer. Dr. Smith pointed out that these protocols work by reducing the number of infectious tarvae in the pasture. "The model allows u1. to study an approach in detail without doing a field study," he said. "lt allows us to thinlc about different approaches and examine the problem in depth prior to embarking on a field study." The model did not examme the costs ot treatment and the financial return realized by the use of each of the different orotocnl� Resistance to drugs is a big problem in parasite control. Drug �tStance 1S hJghCl>t where long-term . routine dosage is practiced," said Dr. Smith. . Resis­ tance typically appea� within ten to 50 generations of the routine application of a drug.� It appears that parasites are always one step abead of the drug com­ panaes. Resistance is a vexing problem for horse owners. as seven out of ten of the small strongyles have demonstrated drug resistance. Australian sheep farmers also have tremendous difficulties with drug­ resistant sheep nematodes. which reduce the yitld of wool and meat !iignificantly. It lS important to slow down the spread of such resistant sarains, and

mathematical models can help. "We suspect that within each parasite population there may be individ­ uals which are wholly resistant. not resistant. and panty resistant. If we assume that the wholly resistant and the non-resistant strains are homozygous for the trait and that the partly reststant strain is hetero­ zygous, we can develop a model lor each of these populations and can investigate when resistance is likely to appear." The model then can be used to determine the most efficient method of utiliLing a drug v.ithout encouraging the rapid �pread of resistant �trains.

Dr. Smith pomted out that parasite populations are regulated by a number of natural processes. "For example. cattle will develop a natural immuoaty dur­ ing each grazing season. and this causes a decrease 1n the worm burden later in the season." Dr. Smith is incorporating these natural regulatory processes an his models since they influence drug strategies. "The natural regulatory processes render the host-parasite system more or les!> refractory to perturbation, and so they tend to oppose the effects of anlhelminnc!>. �

t·" f m..ahem !i�al modtl� .:.:�n •cJucL th-. ..�...ber of field test:. and make these more etficient. �uch models also reduce the number of animals needed for field !>tudies. thou&h they will not entirely eliminate the need to use animals in such studies... The model frees the researcher from the need to think about three or four things at once. Each variable and its impact can be examined methodically in a controlled Situa­ tion without using animals. In essence, a model can be a rehearsal for a field study with animals, making the field study much more efficient."

Mathematical models can abo be used to examine vaccmauon strategies prior to field testing. For exam­ ple, it is possible to determine the number of vacci­ nated animals needed to halt the spread of an infec­ tious disease such � rabies.

The economic benefits of a given strategy can also be examined using models. "'We hope to be able to estimate the expected return from specific protocols and so assess the specific wonh of veterinary interven­ tion together witb the risks involved." Dr. Smith is collaborating with Dr. Davtd Galligan in the devel­ opment of such a modeL Dr. Smith U> a member of the Center for Animal Health and Productivity at New Bohon Center. and has research is funded by a grant from the Pennsylva­ nia Department of Agriculture. He came to Penn from England in 1986.

Effects or protocob (a) to (Q on the average number or worms (0. ostertagia) per calL Top left 10 bottom right. protocol (a), no treatment, to protocol (Q, time release bol�.

Bellwether

Salmonellosis Plasmid Profiles of Salmonella (ClinicaJ Isolates) lsolate # ne of the major infectious diseases affecting horses is salmonellosis.

Caused by bacteria, the disease strikes suddenly, often in animals stressed by transpon, training, rac­ ing, or surgery. "The horse is fine one day and the next day it is febrile, depressed, and has diarrhea," said Dr. Jonathan Palmer. assistant professor of medicine at the Univer­ sity of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. ''As these symptoms can indicate a number of differ­ ent diseases, the veterinarian has to use the laboratory to make tile diagnosis. It is important to give suppor­ tive therapy, to provide fluids and electrolytes to replenish what is lost through diarrhea."

Dr. Palmer explained that diagnosis of salmonello­ sis il; not a quick process. "Fecal cultures are required to isolate and identify the presence of the organism, and that takes two to three days for each culture.

Often the bacteria will not be evident in the first cul­ tures, and many fecal specimens may have to be taken." WhHe the specimens are being processed, the veterinarian will also perform more tests to rule out diseases with similar symptoms.

Salmonellosis occurs in m ammals, fish, birds, and reptiles. More than 2,000 different serotypes have been identified but only about 15 to 20 of these are responsible for serious disease in the horse. Dr. Charles Benson, associate professor of microbiology at New Bolton Center, is working on the development of better approaches for both the isolation of Salmo­ nella and the characterization of the different isolates.

He is also evaluating a variety of techniques to 'fln­ gerprint" the plasmid(s) present in these strains.

Plasmids are pteces of DNA hat exiSt in the cyto­ plasm apart from the normal chromosomal material of the bacterium and are often referred to as extra­ chromosomal elements. Plasmids may contain the genetic information for antibiotic resistance, increased virulence (ability to cause an infection), and a number of other characteristics. Different plasrnids from dif­ ferent Salmonella may have a different combination of these genetic components. These plasmids may !Je extracted for analysis.

The attached figure is a picture of a plasmid analy­ sis performed by electrophoretic separation in an agarose gel of the plasmids extracted from five differ­ ent Salmonella isolates. Two of these strains have the same plasmids, and thus the patients were considered to have been infected from the same source. The mechanism for analysis of these plasmids is continu­ ously being refined to gain as much information as possible. Note also that several of the strains had more than one type of plasmid coexisting inside the same bacterium.

Most plasmids are spread from one bacterium to another by conjugation. The mechanism of transfer includes a replication step so that only a copy of the plasmid is transferred to the recipient. The recipient of the plasmid gains the ability (by virtue of specific genes on the plasmid) to transfer a copy of the plas­ mid to another bacterium. ln this fashion, a single bacterium carrying one or more plasmids may initiate a mini-epidemic among members of the bacterial col­ ony, resulting in widespread distribution of the plas­ mid(s) as well as sending the plasmid(s) to bacteria other than Salmonella.

"By identifying the genetic pattern of plasrnids from a SalmoneTia isolate, Dr. Benson and his associates can determine where the bacteria may have originated.

gel wells

direction of electrophoresis ------3�

2 3 4 5 6 DNA stds 7

Dr. Benson is isolating the bacteria from samples col­ lected here at the hospital as well as from specimens sent in by practitioners,'' said Dr. Palmer. "The genetic material contained in the plasmids is examined and compared to the genetic material from other Salmo­ nella. The genetic composition of the chromosomes of the bacteria changes very slowly over time; changes in the plasmid composition are considered significant."

Recently this technique helped to identify a strain of Salmonella detected in a hospital patient. It was a strain not seen in this area but very common in another part of the country. It was determined that the horse bad harbored the organism, and the stress of sun�ery had caused the disease. The patient had not picked up he infection at the hosp1tal.

"The ability to identify the source of the bacteria is imponant to epidemiologists," said Dr. Palmer. "Out­ breaks of salmonellosis have increased in recent years, and it is important to fmd out where the organism came from." Dr. Benson's method can help determine whether the bacteria originated from a herd of cattle, from a contaminated area of a slaughterhouse, pro­ cessing plant. or store or whether they found their way into food through contaminated appliances in a kitchen ...At this point in time, a great deal of blame for human salmonellosis outbreaks is put on livestock producers," said Dr. Palmer. "By identifying the strain of bacteria the real source can be found. It may not be on the farm or in the feedlot but in a place removed from there."'

About ten percent of horses have asymptomatic Salmonella infections. They show no sign of disease, yet they can act as a reservoir as they shed the bacteria from time to time. The disease is spread mainly through feces. l n horses older than one year it causes diarrhea. fever, and depression. In foals and new­ borns. it may become systemic in that the bacteria invade the bloodstream, causing pneumonia and infec­ tion in the joints. Here the disease is treated with anti­ biotics in addition to the flutds. "ln older horses anti­ biotics may slow down the disease but won't cure it," said Dr. Palmer. "Aggressive, supportive fluid therapy at this time is the best treatment. The diarrhea will run its course. and the horse will develop immunity which may protect it from future infections. Rarely do we get a readmission for salmonellosis."

Salmonellosis also affects livestock. It is particularly serious for newborn calves where the mortality rate is very high. "Cleanliness can reduce the incidence of the disease� suspected animals should be isolated and con-

taminated pastures should not be used." Salmonella infection in dairy cows can present a human health hazard if the milk is not pasteurized prior to process­ ing or sale. Heat kills the bacteria.

Salmonellosis is always suspected when a horse or a food animal is admitted to the hospital with diarrhea.

Such patients are placed in the isolation unit at New Bolton Center and are tested repeatedly for the dis­ ease. Only when at least five clean cultures have been obtained is salmonellosis ruled out. Each animal is in its own stall, and veterinarians and technicians wear overalls and boots, which are changed before entering the next stall or leaving the building. Also, before a patient is handled, the clinician and the technician scrub their bands. When a patient is discharged the stall is cleaned and disinfected and cultures are taken.

Only after successive clean cultures is the stall used for the next patienL The Salmonefla organism may be anywhere, in the ground or in water. In stables and on pastures it can be shed by rodents. birds, and wildlife. Thus, horses and livestock are frequently exposed to it. "'Salmonella usually will not affect a healthy animal, but when such animal is stressed, the infection can take hold," said Dr. Palmer. "Veterinarians carefully monitor their surgical patients for salmonellosis to begin treatment at once should the disease surface." At this time. there is no completely effective vaccine. Dr. Benson and his colleagues at New Bolton Center are working on developing one, as are researchers at other institutions.

While suspected salmonellosis cases make up the largest contingent of patients in the isolation unit at New Bolton Center, horses and livestock with other infectious diseases are also admitted there... Animals with diseases such as herpes myelitis or Potomac Horse Fever are placed in isolatio.n. as are cattle with Johne's disease and sheep and goats with caseous lymphadenitis, said Dr. Palmer. "Other infectious diseases like strangles or equine influenza can be treated on the farm where Lhe animals can be kept isolated."

The isolation bam at New Bolton Center bas been renovated and refurbished during the last year.

Shortly, each of the six stalls will be individually venti­ lated and heated in the winter. The ventilation system will be such that only fresh air will be circulated. The renovations and the new air handling system were made possible by a generous donation from the Mrs. Cheever Porter Foundation.

•·

Electron photomicrograph ofSalmonella typhinwrium.

Summer 1987

5

lOth Annual Feline Fanciers Sympos ium The School of Veterinar� M�icine. niver­ .si1) of Pmnsyhania. hosted the IOih Annual f'elint Fanciers S}mpo!iium on Marrh 28. 1987. al \'H P. Following are '\Ummari� or tht 1�0 clinical presentations.

Dental and Gum Problems in Cats Dr. Cohn Harvey. professor of �urgery. discussed dental and gum problems in cats. He explained that cat� ha'c JO teeth, compared to dogs which have 42.

Thl: skull and mandible of the cat arc generally shorter aml the bead shape is more uniform than in dogs.

The eat's upper jaw has eight teeth on each side, and the lower jaw has seven on each side. The mctsor teeth each have a single root; the canine teeth each have one large root. the visible crown being only one third of the tooth. The large carnassial tooth on the up('lcrJaW has three roots and the other cheek teeth each have two roots. In a normal healthy mouth the teeth are clean and the gums are light cream or pink in color.

Often though, the normal healthy mouth is seen only in younger cats. As the animal gets older. gum and dental disease develop. "Gum diseasl: is the most frequent dtseasc seen in vetennary dental practice," s:ud Dr Harvey. "Periodontal disease i.s the most common mfectious disease in the world and it affects dog:., people. and all other spec1es." He pointed out that gum disease is usually regarded as a benign dis­ ea:.c uot causing a great deal of pain. except in the cat where its effec� can become a very serious medical problem.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacteria that flour­ ISh in the mouth and form plaque, a substance which coats the teeth. If it is not removed through dietary abrasion or brushing.. calculus, a hard mineral sub­ stance, wtU form. It adheres to the teeth. particularly at the gum line. This irritates the tissue, causing mflammauon. Bacteria exacerbate the situation. ln the beginning of the disease process, the bacteria Oourish­ mg are aerobic, but after a short while anaerobic ba<r terin take over. These are more destructive as they produce e111ymes which attack the gum and bone tissues. If infection goes unchecked, the gingivae can become so in1lamed tbat they pull away from the teeth, and bacteria can penetrate into the pockets and reach the bone and affect it. The disease also attacks tile ligaments that hold the teeth in place and that act � !>hock absorbers when one bites down. In advanced dbe�e, teeth will loosen and fall out.

BelhHther

Periodontal disease in the cat has an added dimen­ sion. ot only are gums and bone tissues affected but also the teeth. The actual strUcture of the teeth is attacked by the eat's own cells that line the teeth.

Active lesions ('neck lesions) develop and the cemen­ tum disappears, leaving tbe sensitiVe dentin exposed.

It is a very painful condiuon. as tile tooth nerves are m> longer protected. \Vnen a \;at hoi!> neck lcs1ons 1t may refuse to eat or drink because of the pain. Left untreated, the condition can become life threatening because of dehydration.

Another abnormal feature of periodontal disease in cats is extensive soft-tissue proliferation and ulcera­ tion, which develops in some animals. It usually affects the cheek lining that separates the jaws, and the lining of the throat. This condition has been referred to as ..plasmacytic-lymphocytic gingivitis-stomatitis."

Dr. Harvey explained that dental and gum disease in cats can be successfully treated if detected early.

"The animal is anesthetized, and the teeth are cleaned thoroughly to remove plaque and calculus. Then the owner has to follow up with home care to prevent t:he reformation of plaque and calculus. lf the disease is advanced. we need to treat the animal with annoiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the inOamma­ uon. Only then can the teeth be thoroughly cleaned while the animal is anesthetized. In severe cases, teeth

may have to be pulled."' He explained that the teeth most often affected are those in the cheeks. "We can pull them and leave the canine and incisor teeth. The cat can eat and will be fine.'' The rate of cure for cats with severe. non-responsive gum disease s i about 70 percent, following extraction of all teeth in affected areas of the mouth.

Dr. Hotnc) then expla.ned proper oral h)a'ene to prt\ent gum and dental disease 10 cat.s. He recom­ mended feeding a dry food and brushmg a eat's teeth several umes a week. One needs a soft child's tooth­ brush. a dentifrice specificall} for cats. and patience to brush a eat's teeth. Substances containmg sodium benzoate should not be used as that IS toxic to cats.

To acquaint the animal with having its teeth brushed, the owner should gently hold the eat's mouth closed and then just lightly brush the outside of the front teeth With a brush dipped in water. After about a week the bruslling should be extertded to tile back teeth. sull only on the outside. After a few week s the eat's )8\\ should be opened and the mside of the teeth brushed. He cautiOned that some cats will not allow brushing on Lhe inside of the teeth. and he recom­ mended �o continue brushing the outside.

Prior to embarking on a brusbmg reg.mcn. the owner should make sure that the teeth and gums are clean Lf they are not, then the cat should be taken to the veterinarian for teeth cleaning. lhen brushing should be commenced.

Dr. Harvey Lhen briefly discussed ()rtbodontic abnormahties wllich can cause maloccluSJon. These are seen commonly among brachycephalic breeds and occastonaiJy tn some modern Mrains of Siamese cats which ba\le extremely long jaws.

Trauma is a common cause of oral disease. Cats often fracture the jaw when falling from heights, or they may dislocate the jaw. Fractured teeth can be retained if endodontic treatment i!, performed. Chew­ ing on electrical cords also results in injury of the mouth.

Dr. Harvey currently is engaged in a research proj­ ect studying the types of virus found m ornJ cavities of cats. His work is be.ing supponed by a grant from the Winn Foundation, and it is carried out at Penn and at the University of Liverpool1 England.

Behavior Problems in Cats Dr V1ctoria L. Voith, adjunct assistant professor of medicine. discussed feline behmior. She pointed out that cats can be Vtl) �cia! and have individual ways of �:xpressing themselves. Sometimes their communi­ cations may be Interpreted as aggression by owners.

She stated that cats have a nexible social system. that they can live either alone or in small groups, and that the) communicate by hissing, growling, swatung. and !.Cratching. �These '1gnals are not evil; they are means to communicate.� she sa1d ..But O\\ners sometimes mtsinterpret them. (ats hiss at each other and some­ limes at owner�. We must remember that they often use grosser signals than dogs.''

About 25 percent of the cat behavior calls received b} the clinic pertain to aggression. '"'In many cases it is ju:ot pia� aggression and this can be treated easily.

However, we bave seen cases of severe aggression

ally be was to place the food closer and closer to him­ elf until tbe cat was next to bim. Only then was he to attempt to pet it. h took two months for the cat to lose its fear and cease the aggression episodes.

Other cases of aggression involved a cat which had attacked a dog and then had turned on the owner. In another case the cat had become aroused by a peculiar odor and became aggressive when the owner reached for the cat to pet it.

"Cats take offense when scared or aroused." said Dr. Voith. "'They remasn aroused for a long tune and may direct their aggression toward someone who comes close while they are in tb.is state." She recom­ mended to not interact with a cat that is aroused and to wait until the cat � calm and relaxed. exhibiting other behaviors like grooming or eating. .. If one approaches a cat that is in an aroused state, tbe result

involvrng biting and scratching and the sudden pursuit of an owner."

Dr. Voith then cited a case history, seen by her and Dr. Chapman. The cat, a six-year old domestic short­ haired cat, lived indoors and one day suddenly attacked the husband and displayed aggress1ve beba\'­ ior toward him for a period of time. The cat was taken to the vetennanan for an examination and received a clean bill of health. Then it was referred to the behavior clinic.

During consultation at the behavior clinic, a thor­ ough history was taken. h was found that on the day the cat first exhibited this behavior the family had bad visitor; with children. The cat bad run outside into lhe garden and hidden under a bush. The husband had tried to catch it, but the cat had hissed at him and had pursued him. walking on its hindlegs, batting its paws.

The man bad left and returned with a blanket, and used it to capture tbe cat. After that, whenever the cat :.aw the husband. it threatened him.

Dr. Voith diagnosed the behavior as fear�lictted aggression. 1lle cat was afraid outside." she said. "It was apprehensive, very aroused, and primed to be de­ fensive towards anythmg. When the husband caught it and the cat directed its aggression toward him, the cat was further frightened by its capture and remained defenstve toward the husband." The cat was treated with a combination of techniques. The husband was advised not to directly interact with the animal. to just put down its food but not reach for the cat. Eventu-

can be redirected aggression. The person may then react in a way which causes the cat to become more afraid. It then takes a long time to get the animal back to its normal self." She djd say that cats exhibiting sudden aggressive behavior should be seen by a veteri­ narian to rule out disease.

Dr. Voith briefly touched on the notion that declawed cats are more aggressive and cited studies which refute this. "There is no evidence that declawing causes a cat to be more aggressive."

Ry far tbe most common behavior problem people consult about is a cats refusal to use the litterbox. '"This is in essence a life-threatening situation for the cat ru. people wiU not put up with it." she said. ''But in moM cases the behavior can be corrected.'' She explained that cats are programmed to use loose sub­ strate and that, prior to eliminating, scratching of lhe i necessary. "At about three weeks of age substrate s kitlens will climb into Lhe litterbox and scratch," she satd. "When they are about four weeks old, they will begin to use the liuerbox to eliminate." Call> have individual preferences for the material in the litterbox, and owners may have to experiment with different products, sand or sawdust before a litter acceptable to the animal is found. ''Sometimes a litterbox is not clean enough and the cat wiJI look for another place," she said. "A liuerbox should be cleaned often. When disinfectant is used, the box should be air-dried to eliminate any lingering odor of tbe product. Also. many cats do not like hooded litterboxes as odor can

build up...

She pointed out that if cats do not scratch in a lit­ terbox they may eventually stop using it. If they diS­ ike l the litter they wiJI find another substrate. In order to discourage the cat from using the carpet or another surface in the house. the owner should clean the area and then change the texture of the surface. It can be covered with plastic. for examole.

The owner should change the litter, use a different product. and take the cat over to the box several umes a day. In some cases several boxes with different litter may have to be set up. Also, owners can try to prevent a cat from using an area for elimination by putting food or water there or the eat's bed. Under no circum­ stances should one punisb the cat and then put it in the litterbox as it will then associate the box w1th punishment.

Dr. Voith briefly discussed spraying and said that it can be elicited by environmental factors. such as other cats seen from a window. Castration is very effective in controlling spraying; spaying of females helps sometimes. About 10 percent of cats continue to spray. these animals can be treated with drugs and/or behavioral techniques to stop such behavior.

When trying to diagnose a behavior problem. a complete history is needed so the clinician can deter­ mine the factors eliciting the undesirable behavioL A complete medical evaluation is also neeessary to rule out behavior problems caused by disease.

In the aftemo<•o Mr. Ridtard Gebhardt, past president of tht Cal Fanciers Association and a noted cat sho" judge, discmvd judging proce­ dun. He also explained the bt«d �dards for ten breeds of cats "bidJ bad been brought to lhe \ymposium. His preentariun wa\ follo•ed by '"A Spectator\ Guide to Cat Shu""" gh·en

by Mr. Gene PhUii� director of lht Cal fanciers Data ( enter. The fmal speaker of the day was Dr. Jant R. Bicks, who gavl.' an infer­ mint la.lk on '"Practical Feline Nutridon.

•

Summer 1987

7

Ethics and Oinical Pra ctice ­ a New Course th1cs s i sues ansmg in clinical prac­ tice are addressed by Ethics 9009 a core course for all students at Penn's School of Veterinary Medi­ cine. The course, first offered in the Fall of 1986. is presented in the format of Ethical Grand Rounds. a technique designed to mimic the medical and surgi­ cal discussions students will encounter in their later vears at school.

For the last decade. medical students have taken courses dealing with ethics and clinical practtce. Veteri­ nary schools j�t recently have begun to address this ISsue. "ln lectures and laboratories, veterinary students are taught to identify and treat animal diseases. relieve pain, and care for livestock to ensure plentiful food products, and they are encouraged to participate m research to advance medical knowledge,.. said Dr. Sheldon Steinberg, professor of neurology and one of the organizers of the course. "These tasks appear to be quite weU defined, yet in practice they often are less clear and judgment is required. The reality is that vet­ erinary medical pr-clctice (as every other of life's signif­ icant endeavors) requires judgment. That judgment is not restricted to the patient's clinical status and the significance of test results alone but includes questions aJso of the propriety of running those tests. treating or not. of performing euthanasia or not Th�e JUdg­ ments must be made because the mere avallabihty of technical or medical means or legal prerogatives s i nor necessarily a sufficient basis for making decisions.

Such issues are not stressed in lectures where the emphasis is on identifying diseases and on modes of treatment."

Ethics 9009 acquaints students with the conflicts encountered by practitioners. The sLx-week course consists of the weekly presentation of a problem, dis­ cusston by groups of students and faculty moderators, and a summarization of the viewpoints from the six d�cussion groups and the clinician presenter. ··� we explore the issue of judgmenL we find that m<lre than one position has a measure of 'rightness'," said Dr Steinberg. ..Hence there s i a conflict. ln this course the topic and the issue of concern s i 'Ethics and Chnical Practice-When Good Positions Connict'."

The purpose of the course is I) to bring real-life ethi­ cal issues to the students' attention, 2) to discuss these and hence encourage students to discover and con­ sider other 1ssucs as lhey arise, 3) to demonstrate that even questions without clear answers require rigorous, clear thinkmg, 4) to demonstrate that careful and crit­ ICal explorat10n of conflicting issues may help us to choose from among the issues, and 5) to demonstrate that listening to opposing views may strengthen or change one's own opinion."

The problems presented by practitioners and faculty members ranged from the question ''Should research an1mals be used to train veterinary students" to "Treatment of the tenninal cancer patient: how much, how far. and how often." TI1e course partiCipants examined issues such as treating an injured animal brought to the veterinarian by a bystander and it hav­ Ing a) an owner who cannot be reached. b) an owner who owes money for previous treatment, c) an unknown owner who authoriLed treatment and prom­ ises to come by the next day. In another problem the ,

8

Bellwethl'r

s i sue was one of referral, how much testing or explor­ ative surgery should be done when a specific disorder IS suspected but ItS scope IS not fuJly known, and hould t.he case be referred to a teaching hospttal which offers more sophisticated tests before or after testing/explorative surgery. Students discussed informed consent and how much and what specific information to g1ve so a decision for the treatment of an animal can be made. Here the students had to deal with the definition of infonncd consent. which requires the veterinarian to provtde information about the nature of the medical condition. the nature and purpose of the proposed treatment and procedures. the likelihood of success. the risks involved or possible side effects. and the alternatives to Lhe procedure and treatment (if any) and their possible consequences.

During these dtscussions it emerged that informed consent is not a simple issue and that the cllem's per­ ception of the medical reality depends greatly on the \cterinarian's presentation of facts as well a�; the manner in whsch tht"y are convr\•ed llte w•tcrinarianc;' own convictions also pia} an truportant role in tbe client's deciston-making process.

The final exam, a take-home essay, required the students to deaJ with such issues as informed consent. experimental treatment. fees. and a pending research grant. They abo bad to address the general i:,rue of animal research, the prospect of improved human health, and the importance of professional growth, and they were required to present alternate points of view and their response to them.

"We deliberately offer this course early in the stU­ dents' veterinary training.� said Dr. Steinberg. ..They can zero in on the ethical ISSues unhampered by medi­ cal facts. Of course. t.hey are given pertinent medical information within lhe context of the problem. We want them to be aware that veterinary medical prac­ tice requires judgment and that the issues discussed in the course are JUS! the beginning of a career-long concern."

In the ft.rst course. problems derived from practice were offered by Drs. F. Rude, S. McDonough, N. Oakley. J. Simms. and H. S. teinberg. Drs. G. Kaufman, S. Helfand, and S. Schiffer from the facult) presented problems from VHUP. The faculty modera­ tors were Drs. Alan Beck, Colin Harvey, Joan Hendricks, Meryl Littman. William Moyer, David Nunamaker. and Robert Orsher.

The course was developed by Dr. Steinberg and Dr. Donald A. Abt. professor of epidemiology and bio­ statistics. "We hope to interest our alumni and to have them participate in the course," sajd Dr. Steinberg. uwe want them to become involved and to present problems encountered in practice to our students.

Only f i we have a broad practitioner participation can we expose the students to the w1de range of ethical dilemmas encountered by practicing veterinarians. I do hope to hear from alumni willing to contribute to this course."

Final Examination Please identify the ethical 1ssue(s) that Dr. �obell faces. State your solution(s) to those s i sues and defend you solution(s) against any objecuon(s) that a reasonable person might raise against your view(s}.

Since your understanding of the issue!> is what we wish to e..aluate, you are all to work indepen­ dently on this case.

Case Presentation The onJ) bull owned by the Black & Whttc Holstein Stud Service of Freema.rtin. CT. hat; become suddenly and mysterious!) sterile. The dis­ traught owners seek the advice and service of Dr. Nobel!, a well-known and respected veterinarian in this field of medicine. Dr. Nobell diagnoses the dis­

order and decides that his new corrective surgery mtght be JOthcatcd. Dr �ohdl kno"!>

I. That the technique has helped 88 percent of the experimental rats he has treated; 2 . That only 4 percent of his rats have died; 3. ThaJ the existing srandard treatment for buJls is \ery safe bat results an: onl) fair: i.e., about 40 percent of bulls are helped; 4. That bis $4,000 fee for various suppliel> and pro­ fessional services s: i a. affordable. and b. a modest cost relauve to the healthy bun·� value; 5. Further, Dr. Nobell knows that his pending research grant would be enhanced if he tests his method on a bull (even if the attempt fails). [f successful 1n rats and bulls. there is reason to belie'e that this treaunent will also be beneficial to humans with a similar problem.

Unhappily, if Dr. Nobel! fails. no other treatment will be possible for this bull. Also. any prior treat­ ment will preclude employing thts new surgical treatment.

Bloat in Dogs

Veterinary Students

Pregnancy in the Bitch

Each year it s i estimated that there are at least 65,000 cases of bloat (acute gastric dilation). The cause s i not known. lt IS a life-threatening condition and prompt treatment s i necessary. The dilation of the stomach may lead to to�ion (volvulus), which requir� surgical correction.

Bloat usually occurs in the larger breeds. There is no hard evidence that there JS c1 relationship to feeding practices, although many recommend small meals two or three times a day, with no exercise 1mmedtately af1er feedmg.

An immediate priority is research on the epidemiol­ Og} of the condiuon. This would mclude studying a number of cas� of bloat along wuh tht same number of dogs that do not have the problem. Fcedmg prac­ tices, dtet, bretd, houstng, exemse, and any related factor would be analy ..red. l!> there an anatomic factor?

Could there be some inhented defect? What are pre­ dil>posing factors?

Until we know the cause. we cannot tell how to prevent bloat. Studies have shown that there is abnormal gas and fluid production in the stomach of affected dogs. Lncreased numbers of gas-producing bacteria have been found in some cases. but not in otherl> W hat isneeded are controlled studies to estab­ h�h a parter •o .ho" "'hnt pn.:...-,tstlnb condttiOrb ma} lead to bloating.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that there will be 2, 140 new veterinarians grad­ uating in the United States. The University of Penn­ sylvania School of Veterinary Medicine had 113 grad­ uates in the Class of 1987 (73 women and 40 men), There are 109 studentl> in the Class of 1991, entering in September 1987. Approximately 60 percent of appli­ cants are women. 40 percent are men. The new First Year Class includes 7 1 from Pennsylvania, 28 from contract states (New Jersey 15, Maryland 5. Connecti­ cut 2. Delaware 2. Vermont 2, New Hampshire l. and Maine 1). and 10 from other states. There are no for­ eign students in th1s class.

"Contract States" are those that make agreements with Pennsylvama to accept a des1gnated number of students from those states each year. Maine and Puerto Rico send one student every other year.

There have been 4,281 veterinarians graduated from the Universit) of Pennsylvania since the first class in 1887.

ln the bitch, the number of days between mating and birth ranges from 58 to 71 days. Several methods are available to confirm pregnancy-abdominal pal­ pation, radiography, and ultrasonography. An expe­ rienced person may detect the fetus by palpation at 2 1 t o 28 days. Large bitches are more difficult to palpate.

Radiographs will show the fetal skeleton after 45 days.

Although this lS relatively late in gestation, it remains the most accurate melhod of estimating litter size.

Ultrasound examination can detect the fett�S as early as 18 days. A painless, harmless procedure, ultrasound is a good method for conftrrntng pregnancy. but is not as accurate as radiography for estimating number of puppies.

The problem of over-population s i a serious one.

Millions of abandoned or unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized each year by humane socteties. A bitch should not be bred if the owner does not accept the responsibilit) for lifetime care of the puppies. Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is the best method for canine birth control. This can be done easily and safely dur­ ing the flrst three weeks of pregnancy. Reversible con­ traception � possible using drugs but there are many problems reported when such attempts are made to

AIDS Recently. researchers at the University of California c;;chool of Veterinary Medicine discovered a new retro­ •'lrul> m cat�. named Feline T Lymphotroptc Vtrus (FrlV). In cats, FTLV suppresses tbe immune sys­ tem, resulting in increased susceptibility to a wide vari­ ety of infections. FTLV lS contagious and spread by intimate and prolonged contact. \1uch publicity has been gtven this disco\ery. particularly as a model in human AIDS research. Investigations are underway to determine tbe geographic c:xtent of FTLV in cats.

There is no evidence that FTLV is transmissible to humans.

At the present time, the virus causing AIDS in humans s i not known to infect dogs or cats. No AIDS-like virus has been s i olated from dogs.

There has been much inaccurate information pub­ lished about the relationship between FeLV, FTLV, and human AlDS. Also, many reports have been mis­ interpreted. More IS betng learned every day and con­ tinuing research will provide answers to many questions.

Hypoglycemia in Dogs Hypoglycemia (decre&ed blood glucose) is not a disease in itself but oocurs an a number of difierent situauons Generally, the �igns are neurological­ weaknel>ll of the hmd le� generalittd weakness, mus­ cle twitchmg. seizures, and behavioral abnorrnaliues. \'evnotal hypoglycemia occurs in very young pup­ pies and may be due to trauma, dehydration, or hypo­ thermia. If signs occur, some source of glucose should be given (Karo syrup. honey. or dextrose solution).

The puppy must be kept warm.

Juvemle hvpog/ycemia ("roy breed" hypoglycemia) is seen in puppies of small breeds under six months of age. It can be precipitated by stress (shipping, expo­ sure to cold), fasting, gastrointestinal disturbances, infectious disease, and parasitism. The condition usu­ ally responds promptly to glucose administration.

"Hunting dog hypuglyt>emia has been reported in lean, high-'>trung hunters that may become weak and confused after several hours ol work, and might have grand mal seizures. If hypoglycemic signs occur, a source of glucose should be given�some suggest candy bars as the most available in the field.

The above conditions are considered functional.

They occur infrequenu} but can cause great concern.

There are other more scnous causes of hypoglycemia. lf there is not prompt response to administration of glucose. veterinary advice IS lndicated.

Heartworm Disease Prevention

·•

- -..

- ....,.

The drug ivt-rmectin is now available by prescription from a veterinarian tn tablet form (Heortgard-30).

Given m the recommended dose once a month. it is effective against the developing tissue stage of Dirofilaria rmmrt1s. The proper dose should be given at monthly mtervals during the period when mosqui­ toes are active. The initial dose must be given within a month after the rtrst exposure to mosqUitoes and the final dose wtthin a month after the last exposure to mosquitoes.

The drug s i not effective against adult heartworms and is not recommended for heartworm-positive dogs.

Some veterinarians seem to prefer using diethyl­ carbamazine (DEC) which must be given daily.

Because ivermectin tS a prcscnption drug, discuss its use with your veterinarian.

prevent estrus and postpone litters. Continuing

research may develop pharmacologic agents that can be used as abortifacients or to prevent conception.

Many breeders of purebred dogs have puppies that they feel are not suitable for breeding. lf there is a written agreement between the buyer and seller, signed by the buyer before tbe dog leav� the seller's premises, Amencan Kennel Club registration papers will not be furnished to the buyer until the seller has been furnished wilh evidence that the dog bas been neutered or spayed. Spay- euter Contracts are accep­ table under A.K.C. rules.

Popular Breeds American Kennel Club regtstration statistics for 1986 show that Cocker Spaniels are the most popular breeds, followed by Poodles and Labrador Retrievers.

The Cocker is number one for the fourth year in a row. The others in the "Top Ten" are Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Chow Chows, Beagles, Miniature Schnauzers, Dachshunds. and Shetland Sheepdogs ln 1986, 1, 106,399 individual dogs were registered.

There is evidence that there is a rising inter�t in the smaller breeds. Senior citizens looking for compan­ ions fmd smaller dogs more manageable. Young urban couples may prefer smaller dogs because they require less space.

-

Summer 1987

9

ons Dr. Darryl N. Biery, professor of radiology. and chairman, Department of Clinical Studies (Philadel­ phia), received the 1987 AAHA Annual Award at the organization's annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ.

Or. Stuart Porter (V'74). professor of veterinary tech­ nology at Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave, VA, received the 1987 Outstanding Faculty Award from Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles.

Dr. Kenneth C. Bovee, Corinne R. and Henry Bower Professor of Medicine, and chief, Section of Small Animal Medicine, has been elected representative of the faculty constituency of the Senate Executive Committee and the University Council.

Or. James W. Buchanan, professor of medicine (car­

Or. Charles Newton. professor of orthopedic surgery. and chief, Section of Surger). received the Liodback Foundation award for excellence in teaching.

Or. Robet E. Davies., Benjamin Franklin and Univer­ suy Professor of Molecular Biology. bas been elected to the 1987188 University Council Steering Comm1ttee.

Dr. Gerhard Schad, professor of parasitology, traveled to Shanghai and Hangcbow, China, with Dr. Michael Philips from the Medical School and Dr. George Davis from the Philadelphia Academy of Science to explore tbe organization of a collaborative venture in infectious disease research. In July, Dr. Schad lectured on parasites at the School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Braz.il. The trip was sponsored by the Latin America Visiting Profes­ sor Program, sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology.

Or. Ralph E. Werner (V'68) has been elected president of the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association.

diology), presented papers on bioprostbetic heart valve calcification al the Academy of Surgical Research in Clemson, SC. in November; the Interna­ tional Association for Cardiac Biologic Lmplants in Chicago, LL. in April; and the Society for Biomate­ rials in New York, in June. He also presented three papers on heart surgery in animals at the European Society for Vetennary Card1ology meeting in Rome.

Italy, in May. Dr. Lin V. Klein (V70). associate professor of anes­ thesia. pnrticipnted as an invited speaker in a research meeting held in association with the International Symposium Clinical Neuromuscular Pharmacology: 1987 in Palm Spring�. CA. Dr. Judith A. Rutkowski, resident in surgery at New Bolton Center, presented a paper enlitled Xylazinef burorphanol: Effects 011 �eca/ arterial bloodflow. cecal mechanical acti\oity at the American College of Veteri­ nary Surgeons meeting in San Antonio, TX, in February.

Dr. Ga.ry Smith, assislant professor of population b10logy and epidemiology, presented the keynote address at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Amencan Association of Veterinary Parasitologists in Chicago, fL, in June.

The geoe transplantation technique offers exciting possibilities in animal industry, such as the production of animals that grow larger. produce more milk, and gain weight more efficiently. Further. there is the pos­ sibility that animals receiving transplanted genes may become "gene farms" to grow valuable human sub10

Bellwether

Or. Alan M. Beck of the Center for the lntentctioo of Animals and Society s i on the planning committee of the I H Assessment Workshop on the Health Benefits of Pets. He and Or. Aron Katcher will present papers during the conference. The Center received a grant of $45.000 from Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation Lo study 17le influem:t- ofhuman'"ilnimal interaction on teaming. The foundation also provided a challenge grant of $35,000 for the project Veterinary and educa­ tion srrategi e.sfor 1he control ofrabies in domesti c animal.s and human.s. This gr.mt was matched by tbe Department of Public Health. City of Philadelphia.

The Pet Industry Joint AdVISory Council awarded two grants of S 17.710 each to the Center for the study of Theferrel, ferrer owner andperson-ferr�J interac­ uon and for The role of 1he pet in the jingle parem home Dr. Beck will be the principal investigator for these two studies. .

Dr. Wilfred T. Weber, profeJ>sor of pathology and chairman, department of pathobiology, was one of the editors of Avian lmmwwlog)� Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, Vol. 238.

Or. Mark J\1. Smith (l''82) .tttaincd diplomate statu$ in the Amencan College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Charlotte Newton Sheppard

Dr. Brinster Elected to National Academy of Sciences In Apnl, 1987, the outstanding work of Dr. Ralph Bnnster on gene transplantation was recognized by his election to the ational Academy of Sciences. Many scientists consider election to the Academy as an honor second only to tbe Nobel Prize.

Essentially, Dr. Brinster and his principal colleague, Dr. Richard Palmiter, through their pioneering work with gene transplantation have demonstrated that genes can be moved from one mammalian species to another and that the genes can function in the new animal. Dr. Palmiter is a nuclear biologist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Washington. ln 1982, the Brinster-Palmiter team achieved national attention when they successfully transferred a human groWlh hormone structural gene wh1ch caused mtee to grow to twice normal levels.

While this procedure was a scintillating break­ through. Jts potential 'alue in medical research is even greater. For example. the researchers have been able to transplant individual oncogenes into mouse eggs and produce mice that develop specific types of cancer. ThtS approach enables sc1ennsts to d i entify exact DNA coding sequence!> in animal genes that cause cancer and target it to specific cells.

Dr. Robert Kenney, professor of animal reproduction. received a special diploma of appreciation from the Academy of Agriculture in Krakow, Poland, as well as a medal awarded in memory of Professor Ladislai Bielanski.

stances such as blood factor 9. which is vita! to blood clotting.

Dr. Bnnster received h1s V.M.D. degree in 1960 and immediately began postgraduate worlc in tbe Graduate School of ArtS and Sc1ences, being awarded his Ph.D. degree in physiology n i 1964. S1x years later be became professor of ph)•siology, and in 1975 he was named the Richard Ktng Mellon Professor of Repro­ ductive Physiology. He developed an early interest in studies on embryonic denth, followed by research on embryo differentiation, fertilization, and regulation of gene acuon.

The National Academy of Sciences was established by a congressional act in 1963, and on request it acts as the official advisor to the federal government on scientific matters. It currently has 1,523 living members.

Mrs. Charlotte 'Jewton Sheppard. Chaitman of the Board of Hanover Shoe Farms. died April l8, 1987. ai age 88. following a long illness. Since the death of her husband. Lawrence B.. in 1968. Mrs. Sheppard had devoted most of her energies to perpetuating hh dream of making the vast Pennsylvania Standardbred nursery one of the greatest breeding farms in the world.

The most famous race horse bred and raced by Mrs. Sheppard was Triple Crown winner Ayres (3.1:56.4). A stake winner in this country and Europe. her great race mare. Elma. also became a very produc­ tive brood mare as the dam of Texas. Jappa., and Super Elma. Another outstanding member of Mrs. Sheppard's stable was the fme pacing mare, Pretty Hanover.

Just as her husband did in 1967 when be endowed a Chair in Veterinary Surgery, Mrs. Sheppard estab­ lished the Charlotte Newton Sheppard Professorship in Veterinary Medicine. This endowed Chair is held by Dr. Donald Patterson. a renowned medical geneticist.

Mrs. Sheppard played a leading role in managing the Hanover Shoe Farms� a valued supporter of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Med­ icine New Bolton Center campus.

Mrs. Sheppard issurvived by three daughters.

Charlotte, Patricia., and Alma.

Or. Gert W. Niebauer, assistant professor of surgery, represented Dean Marshak at the Bicentenary of Veter­ inary Education in Hungary at the University of Veter­ inary Science, Budapest, in May. During the scientific meeung, Dr. Niebauer presented a paper, Surgery of neoplasms of the conme skull: Indi cators-limitations.

Or. PeteT Ihrke (V'72). associate professor of derma­ tology at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine. was elected the incoming presi­ dent of the American Academy of Veterinary Derma­ tology. In December. Dr. Ihrke received the HAL Award for contribution to vetennary dermatology gtvcn by the World Small Arumal Veterinary Medical Association at their intemational meeting held in Par�. France.

Dr. l�neJ Live (V'34), emeritus professor of micro­

biology, presented a paper at the 1987 Annual Meet­ ing of the American Society for Microbiology.

The Research Foundation of the University of Penn­ sylvania awarded a grand to Dr. Charles E. Benson, associate professor of microbiology, for a printer for a scintillation counter. Dr. Peter J. Hand (V'6l), profes­ sor of anatom}. and Dr. Jacqlleline Metzler (V'SS) also received a grant for the project Correlates ofsen­ .wry d isuse and recovery of function: Aworadio­ graphic deoxyglucose :.1udies ofjunctional plasticity n i

Dr. Sally 0. Walshaw (ViS), an associate professor in

the Veterinary Technology Program at Michigan State University, has been named the Michigan State winner of the Bustad Companion Animal Veterinanan Award for the second year in a row.

Edward Resovsky, formerly director of development

at the School. has been appointed to a new position in the University development office. Be has been named director of principal gifts within the major gifts program.

the rat vibrissal-cortical barrel system Or. Robert H. Whitlock. Marilyn M. Simp:,on Pro­ fessor tn Equine Medicine, \\as an invited speaker at the American Guernsey Association National Meeting in Pinsburgh. His toptc Wa:l Jaime's Disease in Caule.

Mark T. Lutschaunig r«eived the 1987 Pf'11er Veterinary tudent Award.

The W. Alton Jones Cell Science Center, Lake Placid, NY, held the Third Annual Symposium on Cellular Endocrinology; this year's event was held in honor of Dr. Ralph L. Brinster (V'60), Richard King Mellon Professor of Reproductive Physiology, and Dr. LeRoy C. Stevens.

Dr. Whitlock., Dr. Voith. and Dr. Gail K. Smith (Vi4). assistant professor of orthopedics. presented

s i participating in the WHO lmmunology Research

papers at the 39th Annual Meeting of the Morris Animal Foundation in Indianapolis, lN. in June.

and Training Group at the University of Lausanne.

Switzerland.

Or. Corrinne Sweeney, assistant professor of medicine,

Dr. Victoria Voith, adjunct assistant professo r of medi­ cine, presented three papers at the international meet­ ing, The Dog in the Service of Humonit}: held in Geilo, Norway, in May.

Dr. William A. Moyu, associate professor of sports

partlcJpated i n a panel d�cussion at the Ari2ona Veterinary Medical Association's Continuing Educa­ tion seminar in Sedona, AZ. in August.

Drs. Charles Benson. Jonathan Palmer (Vi7). Ellen Ziemer, Richard Meinersmann (V'85), and Robert

Dr. Lawrence R. Soma (V'57). professor of anesthesia, presented a paper, Steady state levels of anesthesia, at

Dr. George C. Farnbach (Vi4), associate director,

Whitlock presented paper.. at a national workllhop on Potomac Horse Fever in LouiS\'ille, KY. 1n May. Dr. Thomas J. Divers, associate professor of medi­

cine, was an invited speaker at the University of Montreal May Conference and presented three semi­ nars. Dr. Divers spoke at the Arizona Veterinary Medi­ cal Association's Continuing Education seminar in Phoenil( in July and presented a seminar on PracJical tJnlun, ooiol lit.id n.a .ent"'lyte lht·ra(IJ m quine pructice.

Dr. Jay P. Farrel� associate professor of parasnology,

lhc Colloquium on Recognition and Alleviation of Animal Pain and Distress, sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical A�ociation, held in May m Chicago. IL. Dr. Carl E. Kirkpatrick (V'8l), assistant professor in

veterinary pathobiology at the University of lllinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, recently received a l'.;ational Institutes of Health Investigator Award for a prOJt:C tnutled Cwaneow lel.Jzmamarh. Rob• ofskin

medicine, participated in the Second Annual Blue­ grass Laminitis Symposium held in June in Lexington, KY. corporate sponsored research, has been appointed adjunct assistant professor of neurology.

Dr. Martin M . Kaplan (V'40) received the Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsm.

Dr. Sheldon A. Steinberg (V'59), professor of neurol­ ogy. has been elected president of the specialty neurol­ ogy. American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

in host resistance.

Dean Marshak Honored

Teaching Awards

On May 21, 1987, the Board of Overseers of the School of Veterinary Medicine unveiled a portrait of Dr. Robert R. Marshak. The portrait. a gift from the Board, wiU hang in the Small Animal Hospital's newly-dedicated Robert R. Marshak Gallery.

The Veterinary Student Government at tbe School presented the Annual Awards for Excellence in Teach­ ing on Apnl 24. Dr. Dudley E. Johnston, prof�or of l>Urgcry. received the Class of 1988 award: the recipiem of the Class of 1989 award was Dr. Lawrence T. Glickman (V/2), professor of epidemiology: Dr. Joan Hendricks (V79), assistant professor of medicine. received tbe Class of 1990 award; Dr. Dante! Dreyfuss, n i tern in medicine and surgery. New Bolton Center, recei\ed the Class of 1987 award. The Class of 1987 also presented Excellence tn Teaching awards to Dr. William Bernard. resident in medicine. New Bohon Center; Ms. Sharon Sw1ft, anesthesia nurse. VH UP; and Dr. Jeffrey A. Wortman (V'69), assistant profes­ sor ol radiology.

Back row, left to right: Dr. Daniel Dreyfuss, Dr. Wiliam l Btmarct. Dr. Jeffre) Wortman, Dr. Dudley Johnston, Dr. Lawrence Glickman. Front row. ldt to righ� Dr. Ellen Ziemer. Dr. Joan Hendricks., Sharon Swift.

The Veterinary Student Government Award for Excellence in Teaching has been designed to enable each of the four classes of the School to honor an indivtdual who exemplifies the highest degree of profi­ ciency in teaching.

The reception was co-sponsored by Bertholon Rowland Agencies. American Animal Hospital Asso­ ciation, Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Assoctation, Veterinary Medical Alumni Society, and The Upjoho Company.

Mr. Chutes Wolf, Sr., and Dean Marshak.

Summtr 1987

II

A Salute to a Remarkable Lady 987 marks the fl.fty-lhird year of Dr. M. Josephine Deubler's association with the Veterinary School. She entered the School as a student in 1934, and in 1938 she became the first woman graduate. After receiving her V.M.D. degree, Jo, as she is affectionately known to a multitude of friends, earned her master's degree in 1941, and in 1944 she was granted a Ph.D. d.:gree. These were lhe first graduate degrees received by a woman veterinarian.

Dr. Deubler's cho1ce of vetcnnary medicine as a career has a strong hereditary aspect. Her father. Dr. Ernest C. Deubler (V'll) was a weU-known practi­ tioner and played a key role in the early development of the Vetennary School. Her brother. Dr. James A. Deubler {V'43), has a bovine practice, and, in addi­ uon, an uncle was a veterinarian, as are two cousins.

Beginning in her early years. Jo had a close rela­ tionship with farm ammaJ.s. dogs, and horses. As a young lady she won many nbbons and trophies for horse show competition.

When Dr. Deubler entered veterinary school, she had a serious hearing problem which she compensated for by tip reading during lectures. Also, she became a voracious reader of veterinary literature, a practice which has continued. Her graduate thesis was on peri­ odic ophthalmia in horses, and after receiving her Ph.D. she spent two years teaching tropical medicine at Jefferson Medical College 1n Philadelphia. Dr. Deubler was appomted as an ass1stant m pathology in the Veterinary School in 1941, and 10 1955 she became

assistant professor of pathology. a position which she still holds. Dunng the years 1946 to 1952, she y,orked wuh Dean Raymond A. Keiser m bacteriology, includ­ ing research on feline panleukopenia and bovine kera­ titis. She was in charge of the clinical pathology laboratory from 1950 until 1959.

One of Jo's lifelong interests has been the Veteri­ nary School Alumm Soctety. She has served as his­ torian of the Soctety since 1949 and has endeared her­ self to hundreds of graduates through this and many other duties.

Jo began judging at dog shows in 1960 and is now an internationally known judge. Over the years she has owned and bred Smooth Fo�t Terriers, Irish Terrier<>. Kerry Blues Dachshunds and her favorite, Dandte Dtnmont 'Ierner:. Her Dandtes won .Best of

Show at the Dandie Dmmont Terner Club of Amer­ ica Show in 1957, '58, and '59. In 1956 she won Best of Breed at the Westminster Show with her Dandie Dinmont. Salismore Silversand.

Dr. Deubler currently judge!> aU hound breed!., all terrier breeds. and best in show. She is show chairman of the Montgomery County K.C. and Bucks County K C. shows. The Montgomery County Sho\\ is the largest Terrier Show in the world.

Without quesuon. Dr. Deubler is the premier ambassador of the Vetennary School to the dog world. For man) years she was a columnist for the publication, Popular Dogs, and she writes the widely acclaimed column, ..Animal Crackers,. for the Veteri­ nary School's newsmagazme, Bellwerher. On three occasions Jo hcu received the "Fido Award," one of the most prestigiOus awards in the dog world.

We salute Jo Deubler for her unstintmg devotion the School of Veterinary Mt.-dicine. and we wish her all of the best in the years to come.

-John E. Morrin, J.-: M.D. The School and many of her friends honored Dr. Deubler on J une 3 during a dinner. Here Dean Marshak announced that the M. Josephine Deubler

Scholarship Fund has been established at the School.

82,000 had been roJ.�ed for tbe fund so

He snned thar Cu.

David George Jones

Luce Fellowship

Mr. Dav•d George Jones died at his residence on Sunday. April 12, 1987. at the age of 85.

David Jones, the husband of the late Marion Dilley. was a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Whanon School, Class of 1924.

Mr. Jones pursued many avenues of business. In 1924, he became production manager of MiUer Lock Company. He moved on to assume responsibilities as an executive of N. W. Ayres Company, and then in 1940 as the manager of radio station WLAW in Massachusetts. Later, he was an executive at the pub­ lishing bouse of McGraw Hill, a post he held for many years and from which he retired in 1960.

David Jones was very active in local affairs, serving as past president of the Marlton Rotary Club. Be also chaired the Evesham Township Planning Board for five years.

As a member of the Philadelphia Society for Pro­ moting Agriculture and the Quaker City Farmers, he contributed much to the advancement of agriculture..

An avid dairy farmer in New Jersey, Mr. Jones also served as president of the '�lew Jersey Society of Penn­ sylvania. Through his interest in conservation, he acquired a stLable tract otland in Maine, which he mainlalned as timberland until shonly before his death.

In 1977. he created "The Marion DiUey and David George Jones AUam House Fund''to .support and maintain the Allam House on the New Bolton Center campus.

In 1983, a charitable remainder unitrust was formed

by David Jones as a tribute to the work of the School of Veterinary Medicine. With commendable foresight, this distinguished University of Pennsylvania alumnus

Dr. Gat) Tabor (V'87) will spend a year as a Luce Scholar. living and working in an Asian country selected by the Henry Luce Foundation. Dr. Tabor hopes to extend his knowledge of tropical ecology and to apply h1s passton for conservation and wildfe il veterinary medicine to new environments in Asia through his Luce fellowstup.

Although he has not yet been to Asia, Dr. Tabor has already seen a great dtal of the world's shrinking natural habitats. After earning his bachelor's degree in biology and ecology from ComeU University, he spent three years as a field technician in nature preserves from East Africa to Central America.

He has studied chimpanzees in Uganda. bears in Alaska, and birds in Panama. While a veterinary stu­ dent at Peon, he served as class president and as vice­ president of the wildelife service He also took time away from his studies at Penn to complete a six-week n i ternship at the Center for Dis­ ease Control's Division of Environmental Hazards and Health Effects.

Tabor. a nati\e of Baltimore, looks forward to con­ tributmg eventually to the development of c�nserva­ tion strategies for wildlife on a global scale.

U

Bellwether

bas provided for suppon of the Allam House, the Marion Dilley and David George Jones Chair in Reproduction associated with The Georgia and Philip Hofmann Center for Animal Reproduction, and also student aid.

Mr. Jones is survived by three sisters, Gertrude Welker and Edythe Geesey, both of Wilkes-Barre. and Margaret R. Hardin of Winnetka, Ulinois.

New Laboratory Director Dr. Elatne D Watson. Research Assistant at the University of Bristol (England) Vetennary School, has accepted a position of Assistant Professor of Repro­ duction. Department of Clinical Studies. New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine. University of Pennsylvania, effecuve June I, 1987.

Dr. Watson will be the Director of the Endocrinol­ ogy Laboratory for the Section of Theriogenology and the Widener Hospital at New Bolton Center. as well as having clinical responsibility m the Hofmann Cen­ ter and Widener Hospital, teaching veterinary stu­ dents, and conducting research in her areas of expertise

Commencement Commencement exercises for the 102nd graduati ng class were held on May 18. 1987. at the Zellerbach Theatre. The Commencement Address was given by Baruch S. Blumberg. M.D., Ph.D University Profes­ sor of Medicine and Anthropology. Umversity of Pennsylvania, and Nobel Laureate tn Medtcine. Dean Roben Marshak then presented the diplomas to 113 members of the Class of 1987 a n d o ne member of the cl� of 1986. .•

I. A diploma is presented.

2. Or. Morris L. Ziskind (V16). mith, Jr., (V'57), president of PVMA. admin�1ers The Vetuiruuian's Oatb.

3. Dr. Roger G.

4. Or. Baruch S. Blumberg, the commencement �peaku.

Class of 1987 Maure-en Ellen Altman Stephen Mitchell Asltin Amy Iris Auas Elizabeth Ann Soper A"Zary Deborah Dtehl Becker Patricia lynn Bermingham•• Nina Ruth Beyer James Lee Bianco Racbel Hahn Blakey Susan Jean Bous Mary Gardiner Boy• Thomas Joseph Mark Brady Jacqueline Burke• Anneue Michelle Carricato Wendy Villalba Caudill Susan Juduh Colbassani E\elyn Marie Crish Jo eph Albert Crov.ley Starr Cummin lynn Mane: Danesi Thomru. Wayne Dowling Judy lynne Downs Beth Yearling Dronson Kyle Wayne Dull Andrew Haas Elser William Phihp Feeney Diana Ellen Feldbaumer Susanne Rachael F�lser Bruce Damel Freedman Richard Howard Fried..* Deborah Jean Ganster Christopher Nicholas GaiTtlbn. Jr. William Robert Graf, lJ Barbara Jean Gregory* Andren Gabrielle Hayes Steven Juy Heyman• Brian Scott Hillegass I ori Michelle Rahmin,g Ilollmd Thurman Hombucltle. 11 Patricia Natalie Jacluon Carol Elaine Johnson Wa)'ne Mart1n Johnson Lance Parker Keil Robert Seth Kieval*..

Joyce M. Kille John Ross Kinney William Clark Kittleberger. 111 Jud) Ann Korman• Cathleen Alma Hanlon lanutti James Bruce Lawhead"* Eugene Joseph lengericb Damico tin Jack Lance Ltpken Lon lee Love Marcia Joan Margolis Carol Anne Marusak Abby Diehl Maxson..

Clyde Strock McMillen ••• Summa Cum Loude ••Magna Cum Laude *Cum Laude

Cathyann Mcgella Donald Gibson Meredith Wendy Louise Miller Pamela Alexandra Mills Robert Joseph Moffatt Twila Anne Moore Carol Jean Mort:llo Carla Mane Narducci Nancy Joan Nelson Roger Erich Niedermeier Virginia Pierce Rose Marie Quagliariello Virginia Theresa Rentko Carla Richter Joan Mary Ritchi� Karen Sue Royer Trion Renee Russell Mana Grace Salvaggio Chrisune Sanuago Margot Beth Schwag-* Amy M. Sclarsky Sara Jane Shaw Nicole Suzanne Shultz William Whitmer Slaymaker Patricia lynne Sleppy lois Elaine Sloan Diane Marie Sot Charles Barton Spainhour. Jr....

Richard Norman Spencer, Jr. Drew Frederick Sporer* Steve Craig Stephan Barbara Jan Strock Gary Manin Tabor James Wayne Takacs Nachum Tavory John Russell ferry, .Jr. Cynthia Ann Terv.ay•• MarJorie Ann Stevenson Thaler ·\nnenc Khonda Thomas Sharon Lee: Ton••• �ary Reg�na F Toner Alan Kent Toothaker Michael Enc Treitler Virginia Pennock Trexler Myren Holly Robtn Trier Eugeniu Rowland Barry Tubman Valone Antotnetie Vaughn Francisco Javier Velazquez lynn Mirbacb Walker Cynthia Ruth Ward Elizabeth Brewster Robinson Wetntraub Alexander Howard Werner Ann Ehru.on Whereat Linda Mane Wood Joan Marie Yarnall..

December 22. 1986 Cheryl Marsha Penn

Award Recipients The Leonard P�orson Pr1ze

Roben Seth Kieval n,e J. B. uppmcotI Prizt•

Sharon lee Toll Robert Seth Kieval

The 1930 Cla.u Pri:e

Susan Judith Colbassam The Women s Au�illurr tu the Amtrican Vtterinary Medteal Assuctatton Pri::e

Lynn Mirbach Walker n1e Wo,ien s Auxillun ro tht• Pmnsyll•ai/I(J �·eterinary Medical As.�onatton Prize

Mary Gardiner Boy

The 1956 Clas.s .\leda/for Athie,cment m Pathology

Sharon lee Toil

m ch e miSin 171t' James Ha=fitt Jones PTIU in B Patricia lynn Bermingham ShaTon Lee Toll �ichaeJ Erie Tn:itlcr The Afilmurk Prizr

Clyde Strock McMillen Amencan Ammo/ Hospital Association Award

Joan Marie Yarnall .\ferck Awards

John Ros) Kinney Rkhard Howard Fried

George \{. Palmer A�'<ord r\bb} Dtehl Ma:�son Phi leta Aword

Roben Seth KievaJ Ew.>ringham Pri::efor Omlifllugy

Charles Barton Spainhour, Jr. E. L Stuhbs A1•ian Mt>dicmt• A11·ord

Gary Martin Tabnr

Tf,� IArl!;<' Atrimul Surg<'r,l Prl:t: Abby Diehl M.txl>on

111r \fnrrts L ZukinJ Prt:e m Swmt• Mcdid11r Francisco Ja,•ier \'ela7quez

l11e \IMru L. Z i.skind Pn::r in Puhlte Health

Susanne Rachad Fc:lser EVSCO Award

Ytrglnia Pennock. Trexler-Myren lli/1 Award/or Nutruicm

Beth Yearling Dronson Virginia Theresa Rentlw Lynn Marie Danesi Hill Av.ardjor Hu.1pital Des1gn

Jack Lance lipken Conferena' of Pub/Jc Health Jetrrmartans Awurcl

Cathleen Alma Hanlon Lanuni

nu· Purina Aworclfor Swint> Mecltciue John Ross Kinney Upjohn Award.\

James Bruce Lawhead Sharon Lee Toll Au:u/iory to the Studenl Chapin of the Amaro11 Veteri nary Medical Auuciatwn Pri:e i

Roben Seth K.ic:val

One facull} member was honored during tbe commencemenL Dr. Ellen l. Ziemer, le�:turer in large animal medicine, was the recipient of the 1987 Norden Distinguished Teacher Award.

5. DelUl �brsha.k and Charles Wolf, chairman or Ihe

School\ Board or Overseers.

6. The faculty.

6.

Summer 1987

JJ

The Class of 1937A Spectacular 50th Reunion THE NEED: Renovation of several rooms in the Small Animal Hospital to provide a hospitality suite and overnight accommodations for visiting faculty and guests and a showcase for antique veterinary books and instruments.

THE RESPONSE: $23,000 raised by the members of the Class of 1937.

THE RESULT: THE CLASS OF 1937 ALUMNI ROOM. Two furnished bedrooms, a kitchen and shared bath allowing visiting faculty an attractive apartment, plus conferencefhospitaUty suite.

A hand-made display cabinet has been specially designed to provide space for a rotating exhibit of antique veterinary books and instruments.

The dean. faculty, and students gratefully acknowl­ edge the support of the members of the Class of 1937, whose generosity made lhe room possible, Special thanks to Dr. Harry F. B. Bartolett, Dr. David Crisman, and Dr. Sydney Rosenberg for organ­ izing this effort.

Good Bye and Hello A "Thank You and Best Wishes" party was held on June 23 for interns and residents who had completed their training at VHUP. Missed will be the interns Dr. Frank Kearse, Dr. Clare Mainwaring, Dr. Cynlhia Otto, Dr. Kimberly Robertson, and Dr. Richard Sielicki. lnterns Dr. James Jeffers. Dr. A. Jon Nannos, and Dr. Errol Treger will begin residencies; Dr. Jeffers in dermatology, Dr. Nannos in orthopedic surgery. and Dr. Treger in medicine.

The residents leaving are Drs. Clayton K.ilrain, Barbara Chapman, Jean Cloran, and Lorraine de Jager. Residents Or. David L. Diefenderfer, Dr. Caroline Prymak, and Dr. Betsy Dayrell-Hart have been appointed lecturers.

The new interns and residents began their duties on July I . The interns are: Dr. Kevin Concannon, Uni­ versity of Missouri; Dr. Susan DeVries, Michigan State University; Dr. Elisa Dowd, University of California, Davis; Dr. Richard Fried (V'87); Dr. Terrance Hamilton, University of illinois; Or. Steven Heyman (V'87); Dr. Robert O'Brien, Ohio State Uni­ versity; Dr. Erik Peterson, University of Tennessee; Dr. Virginia Rentko (V'87); Dr. Marc Vingerhoets.

University of Bern, Switzerland.

The new residents at VHUP are Dr. Elizabeth 14

BeiJwether

Farrar, Dr. Leslie King, medicine: Dr. Karin Sorenmo, oncology; Dr. Kenneth Drobatz., emergency medicine; Dr. David Holt, soft tissue surgery; Dr. Barbara Hotz, radiology; Dr. Michael Tomasic, anes­ thesia; Dr. Cecelia A. Helenski, cardiology; Dr. Vincent C. Biourge, small animal nutrition; Dr. Joel Rubin, laboratory animal medicine.

The interns leaving New Bolton Center were Dr. Renee Bayba, Dr. Patrick McCue, Dr. Jenny Johnson, Dr. Kate Gropp, and Dr. William Asbury.

Dr. Sandra Ehnen completed her residency. Totems Dr. David Young, Dr. Dan Dreyfuss, and Dr. Elizabeth Hausner began their residencies; Drs. Young and Dreyfuss in surgery, and Dr. Hausner in Field Service.

The new interns at New Bolton Center are Dr. Patricia Brooks, Colorado Slate University; Dr. Virginia Kauffman, Maryland-Virginia College of Veterinary Medicine; Dr. Joseph Mankowski, Cornell University; Dr. Abby Maxson (V'87); Dr. Alan Ruggles. Cornell University; Dr. Gregory Staller, Uni­ versity of California, Davis; Dr. Rachel Blakey (V'87), and Dr. Fernando Riera.

Tbe new residents are: Dr. Sarah Gardner and Dr. Yves Rossier in medicine; Dr. Wendy Freeman in Field Service; Dr. Linda Baker and Dr. Susan Whitehead in nutrition.

Continuing Education Courses-September 1987 throughJune 1988 Dr. Charles Newton and Dr. Thomas Dinrs Program Chairmen

The focus for the School's 1987-1988 Continuing Education Program for graduate veterinarians is "hands-on" experience. Many of the courses are limited to ensure an excellent learning experience. For additional information and registration on the foUow­ ing program. contact: Asbra P. Markowitz Office of Continuing Education University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medici11e 3800 Spruce Street Philadelphia, PA 19 104-6008 (215) 898-1882 Course Title

Date

Systemic and Hematologic Immune­ Mediated Disorders in Dogs

Sept. 30, 1987

Lasers in Veterinary Medtcine and Surgery

Oct. 27, 1987

U pdate: Bovine Leukosis

Oct. 28, 1987

opics in -T Western Pennsyl vania Onhopaedics

Nov. 18, 1987

Surgical Soft Tissue Laboratory

Dec. 3, 1987

Non-Plating Orthopaedics

Jan. 20, 1988

Small Anjmal Echocardiography and Abdominal Ultrasound (lecture only)

Jan. 28, 1988

Small Animal Echocardiography and Abdominal Ultrasound (lecture and laboratory)

Jan. 28 & 29, 1988

Surgical Approaches to the Bones and Joints of Dogs (laboratory)

Feb. 17. 1988

Surgical Drainage and "Biopsy Laboratory, lndicatiolb and Technique:; Dermatology

May 18, 1988

Small Animal Radiology Laboratory, Part 1-Chest and Abdomen

May 25, 1988

Small Animal Radiology Laboratory, Pan n-Skeletal

June 1, 1988

Reconstructive Stifle Surgery Laboratory

June 8, 1988

Mac. 2, 1'>88

Scholarships Donna Marina Dambach. Kris Haight, and Mary Kirk are the recipients of a $1,000 scholarship each.

provided by the Lancaster Kennel Club, Inc. Frederick P. Schuler is the recipient of the Mrs. Bianca Leonard Scholarship provided by Ms. Sharon Rhinelander, McDonough, NY. Linda Molesworth received the Amlan Scholarship.

The New YorJc Farmers have made a $5.000 contri­ bution to The New York Farmers Scholarship Fund at the School. The Board of the Princeton Small Animal Rescue League has underwritten a Janet Cottier Scholarship in the amount of $5,500 per year to assist in the education of one of the students for a four-year period starting in the fall of 1987 and run­ ning through the end ofthe academic year, 1991.

The Reidler Foundation of Harleton has made a $ 1,000 contribution to the scholarship fund. Dr. Lisa Bopen (V'84) contributed $1,000 for lhe David L and Victoria R. Greenberg Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The recipients of the funds are Jand Crawford and Andrea Lerner.

Alumni Day 1987New Bolton Center Alumni from as far as California and Bogota, Colombia. enjoyed a warm and sun-filled ALUMNI DAY at New Bolton Center on Saturday. May 1 6.

1987. Three hundred guests ftlled Alumni Hall for the Veterinary Medical Alumni Society Annual "feetmg foHowed by a buffet lunch and tours of Longwood Gardem, Winterthur Museum. and New Bolton Cen­ ter. One picture is worth a thousand words:

Three generations of deans, left to right! Mark W. Allam,

V.M.D" 1952-1973: Edwin J. Andrews, V.M.O., Ph.D., 1987-; Robert R. Marshak. D.V.M., 1973-1987.

VETERINARY MEDICAL ALUMNI OOETI AWARD OF MERIT This award is presented annually during Alumni Day Co honor distinguished gradWltes or the chool.

1. Lo} C. Awkerman, V.M.D., Class of 1952 2. William B. Boucher, V.M.D., Class of 1940 3. John H. Brown, V.M.D Class of 1932 4. John E. Martin, V.M.D.. Class of 1942 5. Michael A. Obenski, V.M.D., Class of 1972 6. Vernon R. YingJjng, V.M.D., Class of 1957

Harry F. B. Bartolett, V.M.D., 1937 Class Agent. 50th Year Reunion.

.•

Lunch onder the trees.

future veterinarian???

Class c1f 1972

5.

1987-1988 Officers of the Veterinary Medical Alumni odet). Frum left to righl: Peter Craig, Class of 1955 (Past President); l.al\rence Gerson. Clus of 1975 (Pr�dent): Jay Simmono;. Class of 1956 (Frrst \'ice-Pre5 ident); Mu Hennan. Class of 1.959 (Second \'ice-President).

Class of 1982

Marie A. Moore

Annual Interns and Residents Picnic

Marie A. Moore died on June 10, 1987. at her home in The Plains, Virginia. Mrs. Moore has endowed the \rtarie A. Moore Chair in Humane Etlllcs and Animal Welfare here at the School of Veterinary Medicine.

This professorship. the ftrst of its kind in the nation, when filled. will confer an essential measure of rccog­ rution and prestige on humane ethics and animal wel­ fare as a legitimate field of scholarship.

Mrs. Moore devoted much of her life to the welfare of animals. For many years she investigated cases of animaJ abuse for the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies. Recognizing the dire need for an animal shelter in Fauquier Counry, VA, she established one on her farm in The Plains. She almost �inglehandedly ran tt for U years and took in and cared for 22,870 dogs, large numbers of homeless cats. horses. occa­ sional cows, and wildlife. The shelter closed in 1970 when the Humane Societv of the United States estab­ lished a -better tn her area.

For her animal welfare work, Marie A. Moore was honored b> the Washington Animal Rescue League. which presented her with the Award of Merit. She served on the President's Council of the Humane Society of the United States and was an honorary

member of the Fairfax County Humane Society, the Humane Society of New York, and the American Horse Protective Society.

For many years Mrs. Moore bred and raced Thor­ oughbreds here and in England. She devoted a great deal of effort to the Mastiff breed at a time when the breed was being reestablished after devastating l osses of breeding stock during WWU. Her book, The Mastif f. was published in 1978� it provides an over­ VIew of the history and development of the breed.

Mrs. Moore was an AKC licensed judge, and her many assignments took her all over North and South America. England, and South Africa.

AU area practitioners are n i vited to attend the School's Annual Interns and Residents Picnic at the P�iladelphia Zoo on Wednesday, September 9, 1987, at 6 p.m.

This s i a unique opponunity to reacquaint yourself with your colleagues and to meet your nev. colleagues who have recently joined the staff at Penn. The picnic will be held on the lawn by the Impala House (in the reptile house in case of inclement weather), and ham­ burgers. hot dogs, barbecued chicken, spare ribs, and all the trimmings will be available.

The cost is $10 per person. Please make your check payable to Keystone VMA and send to.

James E. Simpson, Jr., V.M.D. 4331 Main Street Philadelphia, PA 19127 Any questions should be directed to Ashra Markowitz at the Veterinary School at 215 898-4234.

ummer 1987

15

Bellwether 21

Mark your calendar for the 1988 Peon Annual Conference

Summer 1987

Wednesday, Jan. 27, and Thursday. Jan. 28. 1988

Bellwether is published by the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Penn­ sylvania, in cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania, Office of University Relations.

City Line and Monument Avenue

Editor: Helma Weeks A ssistanl Editor: John E. Martin, V.M.D. Writers: Helma Weeks Dr. M. Josephine Deubler (Ammo/ Crackers)

Adams Mark Hot�

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Illustrator: Marie Garofano Photographers: Adam Gordon Lynne R. Klunder New Bolton Liai son: Catherine Larmore

We'd like to hear your prase, i criticisms. or comments. Please address your correspondence to: Helma Weeks, University of Pennsylvania.

School of Veterinary Medicne, i 1800 Spruce Street. Philadelphia, PA 19104..0010

(215)-898-1475 or Lnda i Fischer, University of Pennsylvania, Office of University Relations, 410 Logan Hall, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6387 None of these articles ore to be reproduced in any form without the permission of the editors of Bellwether. 1987 Copyright by the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

Bellw-ether University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine 3800 Spruce Street Philadelphi� PA 19 104-6008

Non profit Organization U S Postage PAID Philadelphia, PA Permit No 2563

4li635/8.87/ 12M/ LF.RC Produced by the Office: of Publications/Marketing Commumcations.

Univers1ty Relations. University of Pennsylvania

Address correction requested